2026 Spring Trail Crew Recap: Trip 3: Sioux Hustler Trail

Nothing says "Happy Birthday" quite like 110 hours of backcountry trail work, freezing rain, and helpful beavers.

Crew Leaders Kait and Katie braved chilly spring weather (highs of 40F, light flurries, and freezing rain) to crush some major maintenance goals between the rapids and the Devils Cascade campsite.

What We Accomplished:

- Cleared 30 Treefalls: The saws got a serious workout clearing massive blowdowns blockading the trail.

- Beaver Dam Reroute: Flagged a brand-new reroute to move hikers to drier ground.

- Safety First: Spent time clearing dangerous, angled spikes left behind by previous clearing and enthusiastic local beavers. The beaver trail network is now connected and safely passable.

Trail Conditions Update:

The Good: The trail is surprisingly dry and in great overall shape. The beaver dam is built up and much safer to cross than last year due to lower water levels.

The Caution: The portage trail to the first Shell Lake campsite is flooded halfway through. Plan to hike through to Devils Cascade for camping. Future crews will also need to plan for some brushing from the rapids to the wye.

Huge thank you to Kaitlyn and Katie for putting in 130 total volunteer service hours to keep our trails safe and clear.